The Individual Freedom Act, commonly known as the Stop Wrongs to Our Kids and Employees Act and abbreviated to the Stop WOKE Act, is a Florida state law which regulates the content of instruction and training in schools and workplaces. Among other provisions, it prohibits instruction that individuals share responsibility for others' past actions by virtue of their race, sex or national origin.[1] After passing both chambers of the Republican-controlled Florida Legislature along party lines, it was signed by Governor Ron DeSantis on April 22, 2022, and entered into effect July 1 the same year.[2]
Intended by DeSantis to "fight back" against "woke indoctrination" and critical race theory,[3] critics of the law have described it as whitewashing and an attack on the First Amendment.[4] U.S. district judge Mark E. Walker declared parts of the law relating to workplace diversity training unconstitutional in August 2022, and in November he issued a temporary injunction preventing the law from being enforced in higher education. On appeal, the Eleventh Circuit upheld the district court decision in March 2024, ruling that the law would violate businesses' First Amendment rights.[5]
See also
References
- ^ Sullivan, Becky (November 18, 2022). "With a nod to '1984,' a federal judge blocks Florida's anti-'woke' law in colleges". NPR. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ "Florida House Bill 7". Florida Senate.
- ^ "Governor DeSantis Announces Legislative Proposal to Stop W.O.K.E. Activism and Critical Race Theory in Schools and Corporations". Governor of Florida. December 15, 2021. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ Reilly, Katie (April 22, 2022). "Florida's Governor Just Signed the 'Stop Woke Act.' Here's What It Means for Schools". Time. Retrieved February 15, 2023.
- ^ Anderson, Curt (March 5, 2024). "Court rules Florida's 'stop woke' law restricting business diversity training is unconstitutional". ABC News. AP. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
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